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Sunteck Realty earns 5-Star GRESB rating for sustainability excellence

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Mr. Kamal Khetan, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunteck Realty Limited

Sunteck Realty Limited, one of India’s premier luxury real estate developers, announced that it has achieved an outstanding score of 99 in the 2025 Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) assessment, earning the prestigious Green 5-Star Rating. This accomplishment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, as it continues to strengthen resilience, operational efficiency, and overall performance through its participation in the 2025 GRESB Real Estate Assessment. The latest score marks a notable 3-point improvement over the previous year, demonstrating Sunteck Realty’s strong emphasis on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) excellence.

With an exceptional score of 99 out of 100, Sunteck Realty has surpassed the peer average, thereby reaffirming its leadership position in the real estate industry. Furthermore, the company delivered outstanding results across all ESG parameters — Environmental: 50/51, Social: 25/25, and Governance: 24/24 — demonstrating its holistic and forward-looking approach to sustainable development.

Commenting on the ratings, Mr. Kamal Khetan, Chairman and Managing Director of Sunteck Realty Limited, said, “We are incredibly proud of this achievement, which is a testament of our adherence to sustainable development. Improving our GRESB score to 99 and maintaining a 5-star rating reinforces our belief that responsible business practices and profitability can go hand in hand. At Sunteck, sustainability is more than just a compliance measure; it is a core part of our vision for creating value for our customers, stakeholders, and the communities we serve. We will continue to innovate and invest in sustainable practices, energy efficiency, and social initiatives to ensure that our developments set new benchmarks in the industry.”

Sunteck Realty’s comprehensive ESG program drives long-term value by integrating innovative green building practices that enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact, while also implementing social initiatives that foster vibrant, safe, and inclusive communities. Furthermore, this integrated and forward-looking strategy underscores the company’s strong commitment to sustainable development across every stage of the real estate lifecycle.

By earning the prestigious 5-Star GRESB Rating, Sunteck Realty has further solidified its position as a global leader in sustainable real estate. Moreover, this significant milestone serves as a testament to the company’s strategic commitment to embedding sustainability into its core operations and development projects.

GRESB expressed, “Each year, the GRESB Benchmark reflects how responsible investing—anchored in sustainability and backed by data—can deliver meaningful outcomes for investors, markets, and communities.”

Sunteck Realty’s outstanding performance in the GRESB assessment underscores its continued leadership in sustainable development within the real estate sector. By consistently integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into its core strategy, the company actively creates long-term value for stakeholders and builds a more sustainable and resilient future.

Theia Ventures announces first close of $30 Million fund to invest in 20 Indian startups

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Priya Shah, Founder & Managing Partner of Theia Ventures

Theia Ventures, an early-stage investment firm, announced the first close of its maiden $30 million fund today. The fund has already secured commitments for over 50% of its target corpus and has begun deploying capital. British International Investment (BII) anchors the fund, joined by corporate venture arms, fund-of-funds, and family offices.

In addition to BII, the fund also counts global investors such as Allocator One (Germany), Cisco Foundation (US), and Vitality Capital Partners (Australia). Moreover, domestic and global family offices supporting the fund include Anand Mahindra, Meher Pudumjee of Thermax Group, JM Financial, Vimson: Shivanand Salgaocar Group, and Pramit Jhaveri, former CEO of Citibank India.

With a clearly defined investment thesis, Theia Ventures Fund I plans to back 18–20 early-stage startups that are developing innovative technologies to decarbonize critical sectors, such as heavy industry, manufacturing, material science, mobility, and supply chains. Furthermore, the firm typically invests between $500,000 and $1 million in each startup, while reserving over half of the fund for follow-on investments.

Through Fund I, Theia Ventures has already invested in Sarla Aviation, an Accel-backed electric air taxi startup, and led a pre-seed round in Climitra Carbon, a biocoal company serving the steel industry and founded by a Stanford GSB, IIT-Bombay, and IIT-Dhanbad team. Additionally, the fund has backed two more companies focusing on precision fermentation (biotech) and AI-based energy data modelling, and it plans to announce further investments in early 2026.

The fund expects to complete its final close by the end of the current financial year.

Priya Shah, Founder & Managing Partner of Theia Ventures, said, “We are thrilled to officially announce Theia’s first close and to partner with BII as our anchor investor, as well as other incredible stakeholders. Theia’s objective remains clear: to unlock much-needed, early stage capital towards Indian companies building transformative technologies to disrupt the energy status quo.”

“Petroleum or coal-based products and processes are now being rapidly replaced by cleaner fuels and energy sources, which presents a huge opportunity for startup innovation and growth, particularly in emerging sectors such as carbon removal, novel materials, data centres, clean mobility, renewable energy and biotech. It’s fantastic to see international capital flowing into India to support talented founders building bold solutions that will shape the future,” Shah added. 

Shilpa Kumar, Managing Director and Head of Asia at BII, said, “Through our partnership with Theia, we are delighted to support early-stage companies developing unique climate technologies that can protect the planet and vulnerable groups in India. The climate emergency affects every aspect of life. Our investment will help accelerate technology development to reduce emissions and enhance climate resilience among low-income groups. This is aligned with our goal of contributing to India’s clean energy transition.”

UK’s Revolut to launch payment platform in India, targets 20 Million users by 2030

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London-based digital finance company Revolut announced on Wednesday that it will launch its payment platform in India, marking its first entry into one of the world’s largest digital payments markets as part of its broader global expansion strategy.

Through partnerships with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Visa, the company will enable Indian users to make both domestic and international transactions. The rollout will begin later this year with 350,000 waitlisted users, followed by wider public access.

The company revealed plans to acquire 20 million customers in India by 2030.

A company spokesperson said that Revolut has invested over £40 million to localise its technology infrastructure and comply with India’s data sovereignty regulations, making India the only market worldwide where it has made such an investment.

Revolut, which recently disclosed that it is considering a U.S. bank acquisition and a domestic credit card launch, is positioning India as a cornerstone of its international growth plans.

Anthropic strengthens India presence with focus on Indic language AI development

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Dario Amodei, Co-founder and CEO, Anthropic

Anthropic announced that it will open its first office in India in early 2026, choosing the country’s tech capital, Bengaluru, as its base. The move marks a major step in the AI research company’s global expansion strategy as it competes with industry giants such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Meta.

Co-founder and CEO Dario Amodei is visiting India this week to highlight Anthropic’s commitment to building responsible AI systems that promote social benefit and economic growth, the company said.

To strengthen its local presence, Anthropic will set up a dedicated office in Bengaluru and hire a local team focused on developing AI tailored for India’s diverse and unique use cases.

In addition, the company announced that it is investing significantly in advancing the Indic language capabilities of its Claude AI assistant. While Claude already supports several major Indian languages, Anthropic plans to introduce enhanced Hindi performance for consumer-facing applications.

The firm is also prioritizing model training in nearly a dozen Indian languages, including Bengali, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Punjabi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, and Urdu.

These efforts come as Anthropic seeks to engage India’s rapidly growing AI developer community, especially at a time when major tech companies are aggressively expanding their AI models and tools to tap into one of the world’s largest developer ecosystems.

Anthropic expects that its initiatives will accelerate AI adoption in the public sector and education programs, enabling wider access to AI across the country. The company also aims to empower India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem to create the next generation of globally competitive startups. These startups, Anthropic believes, will use AI for social impact in critical areas such as education, healthcare, and agriculture. The company also plans to support key industries by forming strategic partnerships with Indian enterprises, nonprofits, and startups.

Explaining the company’s interest in India, Amodei said, “India is compelling because of the scale of its technical talent and the commitment from the Indian government to ensure the benefits of artificial intelligence reach all areas of society, not just concentrated pockets.”

He added, “There is deep alignment between the challenges India is tackling and our mission as a company, from deploying AI across diverse languages and contexts to building frameworks for responsible governance. India’s AI ecosystem will play a central role in how AI develops globally and democratically, and we’re looking forward to working with organizations in India to pave a path for how beneficial AI can be scaled in a way that serves everyone.”

Currently, India stands as Anthropic’s largest market for its Claude AI assistant outside the United States, accounting for 7.2% of global usage. However, per capita usage remains relatively low at 0.27 times among the working-age population, according to Anthropic’s recent Economic Index report.

Interestingly, the report also noted that a disproportionately high share of Claude’s usage in India involves technical tasks such as mobile UI development and web app debugging.

Bengaluru will become Anthropic’s second office in the Indo-Pacific region, following Tokyo, Japan. The company stated that it chose Bengaluru due to the city’s strong talent pool and close connection to India’s enterprise ecosystem. Furthermore, Anthropic plans to expand its regional operations in the coming months.

At this pivotal moment, Paul Smith, Anthropic’s Chief Commercial Officer, emphasized the company’s timing and vision:

“Our expansion comes at a pivotal moment when Indian enterprises and startups are seeking AI models they can trust. They need systems that combine frontier performance with the safety and reliability required to support critical business operations at the massive scale that they operate. We see remarkable promise in India’s innovation ecosystem—the vibrant startup and developer communities alongside Indian enterprises are building solutions that impact millions of lives globally.”

Just weeks earlier, on September 26, Anthropic announced plans to triple its international workforce and expand its applied AI team fivefold this year to meet rising demand for Claude AI outside the U.S.

The firm’s global customer base has surged from fewer than 1,000 business customers two years ago to over 300,000 today, marking more than 300-fold growth. Meanwhile, Anthropic’s run-rate revenue has skyrocketed from $87 million at the start of 2024 to around $1 billion by early 2025, and it surpassed $5 billion by August 2025.

The company is now scouting for country leads in India and other key Asia-Pacific markets, including Australia, New Zealand, Korea, and Singapore.

In India, users can access Claude models through the Anthropic API, as well as via Amazon Bedrock and Google Cloud Vertex AI. Developers can also use Claude Code, Anthropic’s agentic command line tool, to accelerate their development workflows using natural language commands directly in the terminal.

Among Anthropic’s Indian customers is AI coding platform Emergent, which has integrated Claude into its systems to help users build production-ready web and mobile apps via its Vibe coding platform.

Anthropic also revealed that its beneficial deployments team plans to partner with government bodies and nonprofits to ensure AI acts as an accelerator for India’s development agenda. The company intends to leverage Claude’s analytical capabilities for data-driven public health initiatives and to collaborate with education organizations to pilot AI-powered learning tools for millions of students.

In addition, Anthropic plans to work with accelerators and social entrepreneurs to integrate AI into locally relevant solutions, with further details expected in the coming months.

Nagarro to hire 1,000 professionals in India over the next 12-18 months

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Manas Human, CEO, Nagarro

Nagarro intends to hire approximately 1,000 additional professionals in India over the next 12-18 months, as the global digital engineering firm looks to enhance its capabilities across major hubs such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune.

Currently, the company has a workforce of around 13,000 employees in India.

“We have about 700 open positions in India, but those profiles are not that easy to fill. One of the metrics I am tracking closely is hiring effectiveness because, right now, ironically, we are facing a backlog in terms of a supply crunch,” Nagarro CEO Manas Human said.

Overall, the company plans to hire around 1,000 additional professionals in India over the next 12-18 months.

He observed that the increased hiring by startups and GCCs has led to a shortage of skilled talent in the market. Additionally, many professionals have been more cautious about changing jobs, as global uncertainties have fostered a “stay-where-you-are” mindset.

He said that multiple factors are currently shaping business decision-making amid global trade and tariff uncertainties.

One factor is the surge in post-COVID investments, which has left a residual “overhang” on investment. Another is the rapidly evolving geopolitical and macroeconomic landscape, which continues to influence global business conditions.

A third key factor is the emergence of artificial intelligence, which has introduced uncertainty about the future.

Collectively, these factors have contributed to a period of relatively slow growth over the past couple of years. However, he added that the initial caution around spending has eased somewhat, and the conversation has shifted toward a more stable and balanced outlook, moving away from fear-driven decisions.

“Things were panicked (state) a year or two ago. Now, the conversations are all good. There is a kind of feeling that we are past the bottom and it’s quite stable,” he said.

According to him, industries are now gearing up for AI-powered transformation, building on the foundation of digital transformation.

“Once people clearly see what they need to do, I think we are going to have a smart recovery. But we are not there just yet,” he said.

He highlighted that AI investments on the periphery of company operations are relatively simpler and less expensive, while those targeting core operations are typically more complex and have a greater impact.

He stated that the next major wave of AI spending will focus on initiatives targeting core business processes.

He explained that upgrading these core systems presents considerable challenges because it impacts critical business processes and requires extensive consulting, systems integration, governance, and quality-related work, along with major infrastructural changes.

He added that most companies have yet to embark on this journey, but stressed that such a transformation is inevitable with the emergence of agentic AI.

According to him, the upcoming surge in AI investments will likely focus on overhauling the heart of business operations to align with this new technological paradigm.

As an engineering-driven company, Nagarro is particularly enthusiastic about the potential of agentic AI, he concluded.

Espire Hospitality to launch new ZANA Resort in Dehradun by 2026

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Espire Hospitality has revealed the signing of a new ZANA Resort in Dehradun, scheduled to open in April 2026. Situated near the Indian Military Academy, the upcoming property will showcase the brand’s signature blend of luxury, comfort, and nature-inspired design, adding to one of North India’s prominent leisure destinations.

Set across seven acres of landscaped greenery, ZANA Resort Dehradun will feature 50 cottages, including select units with private plunge pools. The resort offers travelers a serene retreat, balancing relaxation with modern luxury.

Commenting on this development, Akhil Arora, CEO & MD of Espire Hospitality Limited, said, “The signing of ZANA Resort in Dehradun is a strategic addition to our growing portfolio and further strengthens our presence in North India’s popular leisure markets. Dehradun has always been an important destination for travellers, and this one-of-a-kind, expansive, nature-inspired resort will cater to the increasing demand for high-quality, experience-driven stays in this market. At Espire, our focus remains on developing well-differentiated hotels that combine thoughtful design, modern amenities, and exceptional hospitality.”

Guests will be able to enjoy the brand’s signature Mayfair restaurant, featuring both indoor and alfresco seating, along with a well-appointed bar. The resort will also offer over 20,000 sq ft of indoor and outdoor banqueting space, suitable for weddings, social gatherings, and corporate events.

Moreover, recreational amenities will include a spa, fitness centre, and swimming pool, while also offering a kids’ play area and gaming arcade, thereby ensuring a comprehensive experience for families, couples, and groups alike.

With this new addition, Espire Hospitality continues to expand its premium leisure portfolio across North India. The brand is progressing toward its target of operating 30 hotels by FY26, focusing on destinations that seamlessly blend nature, comfort, and immersive hospitality.

Leisure Hotels Group strengthens footprint in Corbett with launch of new experiential property

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Vibhas Prasad, Director, Leisure Hotels Group

Leisure Hotels Group (LHG), North India’s leading experiential resort chain and a homegrown brand from Uttarakhand, has revealed plans to launch a new experiential resort in Corbett this December. With this addition, the Group will operate four unique properties in the region, featuring over 260 accommodation options—including cottage-style rooms, suites, and immersive Swiss tents—making it the most diverse hospitality portfolio in Corbett.

Mukund Prasad, Managing Director, Leisure Hotels Group, said: “In the early 1990s, Corbett was a hidden wilderness retreat. As it emerged as India’s most celebrated wildlife destination, Leisure Hotels Group helped shape its tourism narrative. We didn’t just open properties— we set the standards for how Corbett would be experienced, from riverfront retreats and swiss tents to luxury resorts. Today, we are proud to be the only hospitality chain offering such a layered experience. For us, the journey has never been just about building hotels—it has been about nurturing a destination, preserving its culture, and redefining responsible wilderness tourism for the future.” 

LHG’s existing properties — The Riverview Retreat (2000), Jamoon Camp (2010), and Taj Corbett Resort & Spa (2016) — have each played a key role in shaping Corbett’s hospitality scene, spanning riverside cottages, wilderness camps, and luxury stays. The new resort, set to open in 2025, will further consolidate the Group’s strong presence in the destination.

Each of LHG’s Corbett properties caters to a wide range of guests, including families, couples, adventure seekers, wildlife enthusiasts, and corporate travellers. Visitors can indulge in curated experiences such as birding trails, night walks, rafting adventures, and distinctive riverside or jungle dining that highlights authentic Kumaoni cuisine.

Sustainability and community engagement continue to remain at the core of LHG’s philosophy. In addition, the Group actively supports local employment, while also promoting traditional Aipan art and celebrating regional culture through performances like Chhaliya dance and Indian classical music under its Ragas by the River initiative. Moreover, its environmental initiatives include the use of solar power, rainwater harvesting, waste reduction, and collaborations for wildlife conservation.

With steady expansion, Leisure Hotels Group continues to uphold its mission of preserving Corbett’s natural heritage while advancing toward its vision of operating 100 experiential properties across India by 2030.

“In Corbett, we discovered more than opportunity, we established the foundation of our legacy,” added Vibhas Prasad, Director, Leisure Hotels Group. “Over the past three decades, we have introduced immersive stays, authentic dining, pioneering wilderness activities, and community-driven initiatives that have defined the Corbett experience. With this new resort along the kosi river joining our cluster, we are reaffirming our commitment to keeping Corbett on the global wilderness tourism map.” 

Dineout founders raise $4.5 Mn for medical travel startup

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Sahil Jain and Ankit Mehrotra, co-founders, The Medical Travel Company

The UK- and India-based healthtech startup The Medical Travel Company (TMTC) has secured €3.8 million in funding to launch a comprehensive medical travel startup that connects UK patients with high-quality, affordable treatments in India. The investment round was led by Nexus Venture Partners, with additional participation from 4CAST, an athlete-led investment collective co-founded by England cricketers Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer, alongside Indian cricketer KL Rahul.

TMTC provides a full-stack solution for medical travel, enabling patients in the UK—particularly those facing long elective care wait times—to access world-class yet cost-effective treatment options in India. The platform ensures UK doctor involvement throughout the care journey, offers post-surgery insurance coverage, and manages end-to-end logistics, including travel, accommodation, aftercare, and recovery. The medical travel startup has witnessed consistent user growth and earned industry recognition for its role in advancing cross-border healthcare.

As of June 2025, an estimated 7.7 million people in the UK are waiting for elective procedures spanning orthopaedics, dental care, IVF, gynaecology, ophthalmology, and urology. With private treatment often prohibitively expensive, over 500,000 UK residents seek faster, more affordable care overseas each year. However, the global medical tourism market continues to face fragmentation, inconsistent quality, opaque pricing, and limited post-treatment support, all of which heighten patient uncertainty and risk.

Founded by Sahil Jain and Ankit Mehrotra, TMTC seeks to overcome these challenges through a clinician-led, structured model. UK doctors stay involved before, during, and after treatment, while patients receive care from internationally trained specialists at accredited hospitals in India. Additionally, each patient benefits from a 12-month post-surgery insurance policy that remains valid in the UK through a partner network of private hospitals. TMTC ensures a seamless experience by handling personalized aftercare and concierge-level travel logistics.

The company will deploy the new funds to expand clinical collaborations in the UK, build certified treatment pathways to enhance safety and transparency in medical travel, and develop digital infrastructure for maintaining comprehensive medical records—ensuring continuity of care once patients return home.

August AI raises $3 Mn in funding

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Anuruddh Mishra, founder, August AI

August AI, a healthtech startup developing an AI-powered digital health companion, has secured $3 million in funding from Accel and Claypond Capital, the family office of Ranjan Pai.

The company will utilize the funds to advance product development, expand its medical knowledge base, and boost customer acquisition. August AI also aims to reinforce its data infrastructure, enhance model precision, and improve user experience across diverse languages and regions.

Founded in 2022 by Anuruddh Mishra, August AI provides an AI-based chatbot that seamlessly supports users throughout their healthcare journey — from identifying symptoms and interpreting medical reports to effectively managing ongoing treatments.

The platform allows users to access reliable medical information and guidance anytime, combining AI-powered insights with a network of doctors and partner hospitals to ensure accuracy. Users can also upload medical documents directly to the chatbot for detailed explanations, making healthcare information more accessible and easier to understand.

Currently, August AI serves over 3.5 million users across 160 countries, thereby underscoring its remarkable and rapid global expansion.

Araiya Hotels collaborates with Paras Corporation to drive Indian market growth

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Amruda Nair, founder and CEO, Araiya Hotels and Resorts

Araiya Hotels has entered into a strategic partnership with Paras Corporation (India & Middle East) to enhance its public relations and communication initiatives. The collaboration marks a significant step in Araiya’s growth strategy, allowing the brand to leverage Paras Corporation’s deep expertise in media relations and innovative communication strategies.

The objective of this alliance is to amplify Araiya Hotels’ luxury and experiential offerings, while reinforcing its position in key markets across India. Through this partnership, the brand aims to increase visibility and highlight its commitment to exceptional guest experiences.

Amruda Nair, Founder and CEO of Araiya Hotels and Resorts, said, “2025 has been a transformative year for Araiya Hotels with three exceptional new resorts launched across Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Gir. As we continue with our upcoming properties in Rajasthan and Kerala, partnering with Paras Corporation brings invaluable luxury brand expertise to elevate the Araiya narrative. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our vision to redefine boutique hospitality across India’s most coveted destinations.”

Echoing the sentiment, Saloni Mahajan Narang, Director of Paras Corporation India & Middle East, said, “Having followed Amruda and Araiya’s journey, I am truly honoured to be associating with such a prestigious and respected brand to further increase their awareness across India.”

Currently, Araiya Hotels operates a portfolio of distinctive retreats, including Araiya Palampur in Himachal Pradesh, the all-villa luxury resort Araiya Gir in Gujarat, and Uttarakhand properties such as Aalia Jungle Retreat & Spa and Kinwani House. Moreover, these properties collectively reflect Araiya’s unwavering dedication to authentic, place-inspired experiences, offering guests immersive stays across some of India’s most scenic and culturally rich destinations.

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